Keenan MacLeod, B.A., J.D.
Keenan MacLeod, B.A., J.D., is a Student-at-Law with Beresh Law. He joined the firm in June of 2022 and is currently completing his articles for admission to the Law Society of Alberta.
Mr. MacLeod was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and attended Saint Mary’s University where he concentrated his studies towards the intersection of psychology and law. In 2017, he received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honours in Psychology and a minor in Criminology). During the final year of his undergraduate degree, Mr. MacLeod was named to the Dean’s List and researched the fallibility of eyewitness testimony. In 2017, his research was presented at the Saint Mary’s University Psychology Conference. It was through his undergraduate degree that he learned of issues that can lead to wrongful convictions and it cemented his desire to pursue a legal career.
In 2022, Mr. MacLeod received his law degree (Juris Doctor) from the University of New Brunswick. While enrolled in law school, Mr. MacLeod took a variety of courses which permitted him to deepen his understanding of evidentiary and criminal law issues including Advanced Evidence, Advanced Constitutional Law, Defence and Prosecution of Homicide, and Criminal Procedure.
In addition to his legal studies, Mr. MacLeod has worked on a numerous legal research projects. He has worked as a legal research assistant on topics including Canadian firearm laws, undercover police operations, and the exclusion of evidence under s.24(2) of the Charter. Furthermore, Mr. MacLeod has recently assisted in updating both the Character Evidence and Similar Fact Evidence chapters of the McWilliam’s Canadian Criminal Evidence text, an authoritative text which has been regularly referred to by appellate courts across the country, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
Mr. MacLeod is currently completing his articles under Principal Brian A. Beresh Q.C; one of Canada’s most experienced criminal defence lawyers. He is also a student member of Innocence Canada, The Canadian Criminal Justice Association, and The Criminal Lawyers’ Association.
Mr. Macleod is fluent in both French and English and is happy to communicate in either language.